The FDA has proposed removing phenylephrine, a widely used ingredient to treat nasal congestion, from over-the-counter cold medications.Last year, an FDA advisory committee concluded that the oral version of the medication is not effective at treating nasal congestion.

Oral phenylephrine is sold as a nasal decongestant. It doesn't work very well, and the U.S. Food and Drug administration wants it removed from over-the-counter medications. The agency conducted a comprehensive review of all available data on the safety and efficacy of oral phenylephrine,